Why are SNAP benefits so high?

[Woodznutz]

You have obviously given this whole matter of proper mastication an awful lot of thought. My hat bows to you.

Recognition of that is much appreciated. You are very gracious.

 

[Lisa558]

She can still work but must stay below a certain income threshold to get max bennies. She also cannot have much net worth.

OK, but the point is that the SNAP benefits are so generous that they go to Whole Foods (an upscale market) to shop, when your average middle class person can’t even afford that.

 

[meaner gene]

And I was talking about the woman I know with four kids - and four baby daddies - who has no income beyond government goodies.

What do the kids birth certificates say?

 

[Woodznutz]

OK, but the point is that the SNAP benefits are so generous that they go to Whole Foods (an upscale market) to shop, when your average middle class person can’t even afford that.

So generous that it contributes to obesity. They could actually better use some of that money for other needed things.

 

[toobfreak]

So generous that it contributes to obesity.

True. There was no obesity in this country until food stamps were invented.

 

[Lisa558]

So generous that it contributes to obesity. They could actually better use some of that money for other needed things.

Soda is one of the highest expenditures on food stamps. It should be disallowed. If they want to ruin their health and rot their teeth, let them do it on their own dime.

 

[meaner gene]

So generous that it contributes to obesity. They could actually better use some of that money for other needed things.

The ironic part is that our food industry can produce obesity causing foods cheaper than healthy ones.

Note: In the United States, the average retail price per pound of granulated sugar was roughly 59.01 U.S. cents
The price of sugar has fluctuated ... peaking at almost 70 U.S. cents per pound in 2012.

Meanwhile Lettuce is $1.70 per pound
Cheese $2.00 per pound
Rice $1.00 per pound
Oranges $1.50 per pound

 

[toobfreak]

Soda is one of the highest expenditures on food stamps.

Probably because people need beverages more than food to stay alive.

It should be disallowed.

Why? They will only buy other stuff with the money now not spent on soda. So the gov. outlay will remain the same. And probably buy the soda anyway with money they otherwise might have needed for medicine or utilities.

If they want to ruin their health and rot their teeth, let them do it on their own dime.

It'll ruin their health if they have an occasional can of pop with dinner? Name me most any food and I can give you some adverse health effect from eating it. I'll ask again Lisa: the issue isn't what people eat, whether it is good or bad for them, but WHAT RIGHT does the government (or you) have in telling someone else how to live?

 

[Woodznutz]

The ironic part is that our food industry can produce obesity causing foods cheaper than healthy ones.

Note: In the United States, the average retail price per pound of granulated sugar was roughly 59.01 U.S. cents
The price of sugar has fluctuated ... peaking at almost 70 U.S. cents per pound in 2012.

Meanwhile Lettuce is $1.70 per pound
Cheese $2.00 per pound
Rice $1.00 per pound
Oranges $1.50 per pound

Quality food, eaten in appropriate amounts, is actually pretty cheap. Eating should be a science, not a sport.

 

[Woodznutz]

Probably because people need beverages more than food to stay alive.


Why? They will only buy other stuff with the money now not spent on soda. So the gov. outlay will remain the same. And probably buy the soda anyway with money they otherwise might have needed for medicine or utilities.


It'll ruin their health if they have an occasional can of pop with dinner? Name me most any food and I can give you some adverse health effect from eating it. I'll ask again Lisa: the issue isn't what people eat, whether it is good or bad for them, but WHAT RIGHT does the government (or you) have in telling someone else how to live?

Telling isn't forcing. If SNAP no longer allows junk food and drinks people are still free to buy it with their own money.

"The one who pays the piper gets to call the tune."

Human health remains the biggest problem humanity faces, or refuses to face.

 

[Lisa558]

Probably because people need beverages more than food to stay alive.

Water is free.

Why? They will only buy other stuff with the money now not spent on soda. So the gov. outlay will remain the same. And probably buy the soda anyway with money they otherwise might have needed for medicine or utilities.

Because taxpayers have a right to say how their money is allocated. We don’t allow welfare takers to use food stamps for liquor; we don’t have to allow it for soda, either.

It'll ruin their health if they have an occasional can of pop with dinner? Name me most any food and I can give you some adverse health effect from eating it. I'll ask again Lisa: the issue isn't what people eat, whether it is good or bad for them, but WHAT RIGHT does the government (or you) have in telling someone else how to live?

It’s not occasional - not with the amount of food stamps going to soda. It’s a staple at the dinner table.

And as far as telling someone how to live, we have nothing to say if they use their own money. When they use taxpayer money, we do have a say.

 

[meaner gene]

Probably because people need beverages more than food to stay alive.


Why? They will only buy other stuff with the money now not spent on soda. So the gov. outlay will remain the same. And probably buy the soda anyway with money they otherwise might have needed for medicine or utilities.


It'll ruin their health if they have an occasional can of pop with dinner? Name me most any food and I can give you some adverse health effect from eating it. I'll ask again Lisa: the issue isn't what people eat, whether it is good or bad for them, but WHAT RIGHT does the government (or you) have in telling someone else how to live?

It depends who is telling them.
When Michelle Obama recommended people eat more kale, the conservatives were up in arms.
And she had no power to enact any food policy.

 

[Woodznutz]

Water is free.


Because taxpayers have a right to say how their money is allocated. We don’t allow welfare takers to use food stamps for liquor; we don’t have to allow it for soda, either.



It’s not occasional - not with the amount of food stamps going to soda. It’s a staple at the dinner table.

And as far as telling someone how to live, we have nothing to say if they use their own money. When they use taxpayer money, we do have a say.

We are paying for their junk food, and their medical and dental bills.

 

[meaner gene]

Quality food, eaten in appropriate amounts, is actually pretty cheap. Eating should be a science, not a sport.

Actually you'll find that quality foods (high nutrition, low fat etc) is actually more expensive.

 

[toobfreak]

Telling isn't forcing.

Telling what?

If SNAP no longer allows junk food and drinks people are still free to buy it with their own money.

What money? They are on SNAP. And "junk food" is a broad term that could apply to half the stuff in the supermarket.

"The one who pays the piper gets to call the tune."

Meaningless blather. Does that mean if you get hit by a car and I find you alongside the road I get to rob you?

Human health remains the biggest problem humanity faces, or refuses to face.

Irrelevant, meaningless blather. All you are pointing out is that this is a problem affecting us all, not just food stamp people and cutting off cola from the sick and needy won't do a thing to address it.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

No you wouldn't. You'd go through your SNAP benefit in likely a few days then having nothing to eat the other 20-25 days of the month.

And if someone showed up at my register wanting to pay for their Wagyu steaks, porterhouses, filet mignons, and fresh north Atlantic lobsters with a SNAP card, I'd refuse the purchase and report him.

That is a far more offensive use of SNAP than buying a bottle of cola.

If someone is looking to eat steak and lobster on a SNAP card, chances are good they really don't need a SNAP card.

Your boss would fire you! You do not have that power. Don't be stupid and say shit that you know would never fly!

First, I would like to know how you could tell they were paying with a SNAP card as all EBTs look the same?

 

[meaner gene]

Your boss would fire you! You do not have that power. Don't be stupid and say shit that you know would never fly!

First, I would like to know how you could tell they were paying with a SNAP card as all EBTs look the same?

I don't know how ma-and-pop stores handle it. But all the big grocery stores are computerized, and automatically reject items not authorized for snap purchase, when they try to pay with a SNAP EBT card.

They will charge the allowable items, and show the cash balance on the non-allowed items.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Let's say your child is two years old, and off of expensive formula and onto regular milk and home pureed vegetables. You now have an extra $200/month of SNAP money to buy those steaks.

If I received the maximum SNAP benefit in my state, which is $292/month, I would have $200 to buy steak or lobster as my present food budget is about $90/month.

Why would you receive the maximum? How many kids under 18 do you have? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Lisa558]

Actually you'll find that quality foods (high nutrition, low fat etc) is actually more expensive.

With the money SNAP takers could save not buying soda and fritos, they could afford the 93% lean hamburger instead of the fatty one.

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Do you live in a tent, then? Or do you have a really nice freeway underpass and a coveted mattress? You do qualify for SNAP, but remember that your free Medicare is gone unless you work 80 hours a month. I understand that could be any kind of work, too. What skills do you possess?

You obviously have no clue as to what you are saying because Medicare has no work requirement. Medicaid now does. If you are calling someone out, make sure your own shit is in one sock first!